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Clean Hydrogen Partnership

LH2 tanker overturn

Event

Event ID
1258
Quality
Description

A LH2 tanker travelling on a highway struck the center median. The driver tried unsuccessfully to regain control, causing the tanker to overturn onto its side on the bank.
There was no release of gaseous hydrogen or spill of liquid hydrogen. The two drivers were injured in the crash. 
First responders intervened, the highway was closed on both directions for hours.  
 

Event Initiating system
Classification of the physical effects
No Hydrogen Release
Nature of the consequences
Macro-region
North America
Country
United States
Date
Component involved
LH2 tank (road tanker)
Failure mode
damage, no release
Initiating cause
impact, rollover, crash
Root CAUSE analysis

The INITIATING CAUSE was a loss of control of the vehicle. 
Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be contributing factors.
The ROOT CAUSE could be attributed to human factors.

Date entry in HIAD
16/07/2026

Facility

Application
Hydrogen transport and distribution
Sub-application
LH2 tanker
Hydrogen supply chain stage
All components affected

cabin, tractor

Process temperature range [C]
ambient temperature (-50°C to +50°C)
Process pressure range [MPa]
ambient pressure (around 0.1 MPa)
Location type
Open
Location
highway or similar
Operational condition

Emergency & Consequences

Number of fatalities
0
Number of injured persons
2
Post-event summary

The tanker does not seem have experienced much damage. The tractor was heavily damaged.  
The first driver sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
The second driver, who was unrestrained in the truck's sleeper berth, sustained major injuries and was airlifted to a hospital.

In-depth data

Release type
no release
Probable IGNITION SOURCE

References

Sources categories
News
Reference & weblink

KCRA 3 video of  2026 May 01
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvV6d7baiRs 

(accessed July 2026)